As the BJP realised its long-cherished dream of assuming power in a Southern state, its patriarch Atal Bihari Vajpayee on Monday had a word of advice for B S Yeddyurappa -- chief ministership is not a prize, but a challenge.

The party veteran, who has been ailing for sometime, congratulated Yeddyurappa for becoming the chief minister of Karnataka and described installation of the BJP's first-ever government in the South as a "proud moment" for the party.

"This is a proud moment for the BJP as it is the first that a BJP-led government is installed in the South. Though delayed, it has rightly honoured the people's verdict of 2004 Assembly elections," he said. He hoped that the new government would raise to the expectations of the people of the state.

"Chief ministership is not the end, but an instrument. It is not a prize, but a challenge. To transform adversities and crises into opportunities. To attain continued progress through good governance," he said in a statement.